Embracing Docker for Local Development: My Journey from WAMP to Docker

For over a decade, from 2009 to 2021, my local development environment revolved around WAMP server. This trusty tool provided everything I needed to develop WordPress plugins and themes with ease. However, in 2021, I took the plunge and switched to Docker for my local environment, and while the transition was challenging, the rewards have been immense.

The Initial Struggle

At first, Docker seemed intimidating. The complexity of setting up containers and understanding the nuances of its ecosystem was a far cry from the simplicity of WAMP. But with persistence, things began to click, and I discovered numerous advantages that have transformed my development process.

The Perks of Docker

  1. Utilizing Nginx for HTTP Server Docker allowed me to seamlessly integrate Nginx as my HTTP server. This has been a game-changer, offering more flexibility and performance compared to the default Apache server in WAMP.
  2. Redis Server for Cache Testing One of the standout features of Docker is the ability to spin up a Redis server effortlessly. This has been particularly beneficial for testing cache plugins, significantly improving the efficiency of my WordPress sites.
  3. Multiple PHP and MySQL Versions Docker’s versatility shines in its ability to run multiple applications with different PHP or MySQL versions simultaneously. No more juggling between configurations or dealing with version conflicts.
  4. Cloudflare Tunnel Integration By integrating Cloudflare Tunnel with Docker, I can make my local sites publicly available. This feature is incredibly useful for receiving webhooks and allowing colleagues to test new features before deployment.
  5. Experimenting with Different Server Packages Docker has opened doors to experiment with various server packages like Go, Rust, and Node.js. With minimal experience and compatibility issues, I can now develop and run applications across different technologies effortlessly.

Conclusion

Switching to Docker has been a significant shift in my development journey. While WAMP served me well for many years, Docker has provided a level of flexibility and efficiency that I never thought possible. If you’re still on the fence about making the switch, I encourage you to dive in. The initial learning curve may be steep, but the benefits are well worth the effort.

Happy coding!

By Shazzad Hossain Khan

Shazzad is a wordpress developer.